Original US release date: December 9, 1983 Production budget: $25,000,000 Worldwide gross: $65,884,703 There can be any number of reasons why a given film may go on to live forever in the public consciousness, achieving legendary status. Sometimes, it's due to the story. Sometimes, it's the property. Sometimes, a film may represent a giant leap... Continue Reading →
Review – Searching
Along with BlacKkKlansman, Searching was my most-anticipated film of August. An intense, gripping trailer combined with a stylish presentation and a lot of buzz coming out of Sundance made this one the one to see on opening weekend. I've also liked star John Cho since my first exposure to him in ABC's "Flashforward" television series... Continue Reading →
Review – The Happytime Murders
The Happytime Murders was making news before it even hit theaters after Disney sued the creators for potentially causing marketplace confusion among consumers. Directed by Brian Henson - the son of legendary puppeteer and the creator of the Muppets, Jim Henson - The Happytime Murders is set in a world where humans and Muppet-like puppets... Continue Reading →
#ThrowbackThursday – BASEketball
Original US release date: July 31, 1998 Production budget: $20,000,000 Worldwide gross: $7,027,290 Twenty years ago, Trey Parker and Matt Stone were riding high. Their brand-new animated series "South Park" had taken off and become a huge hit for Comedy Central and, seeing as how fandom at wide was beginning to take a greater interest... Continue Reading →
Review – Crazy Rich Asians
I have to say, when I saw the trailers for Jon M. Chu's Crazy Rich Asians (based on Kevin Kwan's novel of the same name), I wasn't really sure what to expect. The first time I see any given trailer, I tend to take in more of the overall tone and atmosphere than anything else... Continue Reading →
Review – Slender Man
Does any urban legend have as fascinating (and disturbing) a history as Slender Man? The terrifying creature was created by Eric Knudsen as part of a 2009 online Photoshop contest and, from there, it took on a life of its own - literally, if you ask some people. There have been real-life rituals and even... Continue Reading →
#ThrowbackThursday – Grumpy Old Men
Original US release date: December 25, 1993 Production budget: $35,100,000 Worldwide gross: $70,172,621 For those who might not be aware, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau were a common theatrical comedy duo, much like the pairings of Don Knotts and Tim Conway, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, or Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. Their first movie... Continue Reading →
#ThrowbackThursday – Independence Day
Original US release date: July 3, 1996 Production budget: $75,000,000 Worldwide gross: $817,400,891 Will Smith was once known as the king of the Independence Day weekend and it all started here, with Roland Emmerich's Independence Day. Released around the world in the middle of the week to coincide with the dates on which the film,... Continue Reading →
Review – BlacKkKlansman
Approximately one year ago, I found myself tasked with the responsibility of standing in front of my Freshman Orientation class and attempting to explain to them the then-recent events of Charlottesville, Virginia. It was Current Events Day in the curriculum, and each Freshman Orientation teacher was asked to discuss the most relevant current events for... Continue Reading →
Review – The Meg
Jon Turteltaub was responsible for many popular films throughout the nineties and early-two-thousands, from Phenomenon and The Kid to the National Treasure series. Turteltaub's films haven't always been critical darlings, but he has a way of producing crowd-pleasers that make a lasting impression and carry goodwill forward, years beyond their release dates. His profile has... Continue Reading →